Chaminade University of Honolulu

Institutional

2022 Innovation Awards Winners Announced

Modeled after the National Catholic Education Association’s Innovation in Catholic Education annual awards and sponsored by Hawaii Catholic Schools, the Ka Ho’oulu Awards focuses on “Innovation for Mission.”

“It recognizes and celebrates talent in Catholic education,” says Dr. Helen Turner, professor of biology and CIFAL research director and former vice president of Strategy and Innovation, which established the Ka Ho’oulu Awards in 2020. “Nominees exemplify innovation in education inside and outside the classroom.”

Award applicants submit projects that illustrate the Catholic worldview, support quality academics, integrate technology, demonstrate data-driven decision making or promote operational vitality. Submissions with the highest marks receive recognition at an annual award ceremony and a grant to continue their work. Eligible nominees can be individuals or teams, and faculty and administrators/staff currently employed at a Hawaii Catholic School (all grade levels K-12).

In an interview with the Hawaii Catholic Herald, retired Hawaii Catholic School’s superintendent, Michael Rockers, said his office’s close collaboration with Chaminade University “helped establish catechetical institutes, the “Teacher of the Year” award, the “Innovation Award,” and to provide a quality review of the Hawaii Catholic Schools office’s goals, objectives and communications.”

“He really wanted an award that was similar to the national innovation award,” Turner says of Rockers. “That’s how we came up with the Ka Ho’oulu, which honors teachers and administrators who are continuously innovating in support of their students.”

The 2022 Ka Ho’oulu Awards winners include Mary Star of the Sea School Honolulu in the team category and Dan Mawyer of Damien Memorial School for the individual award.

“We are pleased to continue our sponsorship of these annual awards,” Turner says. “Mary, Star of the Sea and Mr. Mawyer exemplify education in Hawaii. They are committed to implementing innovative strategies and teaching methods that leverage state-of-the-art technology to create the highest quality students.”

Ka Hooulu 2022 awardee Mary Star of the Sea

Team award: Mary Star of the Sea School, Honolulu
This award recognized the Mary Star of the Sea’s 2021-22 Schoolwide Literacy Project. The team, nominated by Laci Hitchcock, described a yearlong project that exemplifies the Ka Ho’oulu themes of supporting quality academics, technology integration and data-driven decision making. The review committee was struck by the strategic and comprehensive “whole school” approach to the important goal of improving literacy and mitigating COVID impacts on student reading.

According to the three-member panel, the literacy program holistically integrated student-centered activities with teacher professional development and such enriching programs as guest speakers for parents and the whole school community to engage with. The program collected data on its own impacts, and is now refining the program for its continuation in the new school year. The nomination mentioned that the goal was “to make reading a part of everyday culture.” Drs. Turner and Dustyn Ragasa and Fr. Martin Solma, S.M., were impressed by the commitment of staff, teachers and school leadership to make this goal part of the school’s DNA.

Ka Hooulu 2022 awardee Dan Mawyer

Individual award: Mr. Dan Mawyer, Damien Memorial School
This award acknowledged Mawyer as a school champion in the areas of technology, computing and robotics. A math teacher, Mawyer is passionate about preparing students for the future. He has built coding challenges, robotics teams and STEM activities that engage students in technology, critical thinking and teamwork.

“During the COVID crisis, (Mawyer) stepped up to the plate and offered his expertise to use technology, particularly digital communications, to keep the school community informed and unified,” Turner says. “The entire school benefitted from his innovative approach to creating visually appealing and informative content for information sharing and online learning.”

The review committee further noted that this work has quickly evolved into the leadership of a new project for a broadcast communications center at Damien. Catholic educators are passionate, expert, and student-focused and Dan exemplifies these qualities.

Kapaa High School Students Earn College Credit Through Partnership

Chaminade University is taking its early college initiative to new levels, forging a cutting-edge partnership with Kapaa High to connect rural Kauai students to hands-on, online instruction created exclusively for them.

The idea grew out of the need for robust remote learning options during the pandemic, explained Chaminade Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Dr. Janet Davidson. Shortly after many campuses went fully to distance learning, Chaminade delivered a “train-the-trainer” workshop for Kauai teachers on best practices in online instruction. From there, a relationship was formed—and grew.

Kapaa High School students in Chaminade class

And roughly a year later, those same partners with the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) on Kauai approached Davidson with an idea: would you be interested, they asked, in helping us stand up a dual credit college program exclusively for students at Kapaa High? The answer: a resounding yes.

So Chaminade and the DOE started developing a program and seeking financial support for it.

The inaugural cohort was launched in Fall 2021, giving participants—both juniors and seniors—the opportunity to earn high school and college credit at the same time. The program was designed around Kapaa High School’s bell schedule and online courses are delivered live by Chaminade faculty members.

Davidson said students take the courses on Kapaa High School’s campus with a teacher on hand to offer assistance. Chaminade also provides supports to participants, including advising and educational tech.

Kapaa High School students in Chaminade class

That first term, students were able to enroll in Human Nutrition and English 101: Introduction to Expository Writing. In Spring 2022, Chaminade offered College Algebra and PSY 101: Intro to Psychology.

Davidson said a junior entering the program has the chance to earn 24 college credits in all.

“The students who are participating have all different types of interests and are at different levels,” Davidson said. “This is really about expanding opportunities—and helping students imagine themselves going to college after graduating from high school. We want to help strengthen that pipeline.”

Students even participate in labs remotely.

Davidson said 23 students took courses through the program in the 2021–2022 academic year.

Of those, all 11 seniors graduated from high school and applied for college.

Kapaa High School students on a trolley at Chaminade

With 31 students at Kapaa High School in the program this Fall Term, Davidson is proud about how quickly the program has matured and is excited about the potential for future expansion. “We do want to expand—with the right partner,” Davidson said. “The biggest factor for the success of this program is mutual trust. Together, our goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of these high schoolers.”

Davidson added student mentoring is a critical element of the program.

Members of the inaugural cohort, for example, were invited to spend a weekend at Chaminade for intensive workshops on everything from how to finance college to how to succeed in higher education.

“We had an opportunity to engage the students and they were universally very appreciative of the experience,” Davidson said. “The faculty is what made all the difference. They also felt very supported.”

Chaminade University’s Hawaii Guarantee

Matching resident tuition and 4-year graduation pathway.

Chaminade University is proud to announce a new undergraduate tuition match and four-year graduation pathway program starting with next year’s incoming Hawaii freshmen that will ensure a world-class, private education is within reach for even more families in the Islands.

The Hawaii Guarantee program will launch in Fall 2023 and provide all graduates of Hawaii high schools entering as first-time freshmen with the exact same tuition rate as the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s annual resident undergraduate tuition and an achievable path to graduate in four years.

The tuition match will mean students eligible for the program won’t pay a penny more to attend Chaminade University than the annual published tuition rate at UH-Manoa—a groundbreaking affordability pledge that underscores Chaminade’s strong commitment to expanding access to educational opportunities.

If students follow all the steps in their Four-Year Graduation Guarantee and are unable to graduate in four years, Chaminade will cover the rest to get program participants to graduation day.

“Our new Hawaii Guarantee program shows our serious commitment to help inspire and develop the next generation of Hawaii leaders by providing Hawaii high school graduates with a world-class education right here at home,” said Chaminade University President Dr. Lynn Babington.

“We are on a mission at Chaminade to put education in action for the public good—and the Hawaii Guarantee helps us meet that goal. Hawaii families have been grappling with no shortage of uncertainty in the last several years, but our Hawaii Guarantee is something they can count on and will ensure more Hawaii students are able to pursue higher education so they can make a positive impact in our community.”

Chaminade already has the highest four-year graduation rate among Hawaii universities.

The University’s support network for all incoming freshmen ensures each student has a dedicated academic advisor who will help them craft an achievable plan for graduating within four years. Those wraparound supports will continue throughout a student’s four-year journey at Chaminade so they have the guidance and help they need every step of the way.

“Our Hawaii Guarantee is a game-changer for incoming Hawaii students and their families and underscores our commitment to affordability in education,” Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Abigail Hurgo said. “Chaminade’s small class sizes, dedicated academic advisors and faculty, leadership opportunities, and career development program, allow our students to turn their passions into the skills and knowledge they need to become the next generation of Hawaii leaders.”

The program will apply to full-time, day undergraduates and can be used in conjunction with a comprehensive financial aid package, including grants and scholarships.

Students must apply to Chaminade University and submit their FAFSA by January 15, 2023.

For more details on the program, click here.

Chaminade University No. 20 in Annual ‘U.S. News’ College Rankings

Chaminade University is proud of another strong showing in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, which once again named Chaminade among the top regional universities in the West.

In the 2022-2023 rankings, Chaminade clinched the no. 20 spot in the regional group.

That’s up from no. 25 in 2021-2022.

Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington said the ranking underscores the university’s strong commitment to academic excellence, rigor and innovation. “Our team of faculty and staff members work incredibly hard to deliver on our service-focused mission and ensure our students can reach their goals,” Babington said. “Chaminade’s Best Colleges ranking is a testament to their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts to put Chaminade’s pledge to the community into action.”

Meanwhile, Chaminade also jumped up in the rankings as a “best value” option—securing the no. 11 spot (from no. 21 last year). In the “best value” ranking, U.S. News & World Report assessed universities not only on academic quality but on the availability of need-based grants, scholarships and other aid.

Chaminade was also ranked no. 28 for “social mobility” (from no. 38 in 2021-2022).

The ranking measures the percentage of Pell Grant students who graduated.

The U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings include assessments of approximately 1,500 U.S. colleges and universities. The rankings—in their 38th year—evaluate campuses 17 measures of academic quality, including graduation rates, retention rates and faculty resources.

Chaminade’s undergraduate Nursing program, which launched in 2010, was also recognized. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was named among the best in the U.S., ranking in the top 42%. The school secured the no. 293 spot among nursing programs out of some 690 schools nationwide.

Chaminade University Receives Multiple Grants for Educational Scholarships

Chaminade University recently received three grants totaling $45,000 to fund scholarships for the 2022-2023 school year. The grants include:

Antone and Edene Vidinha Charitable Trust – $20,000

Established to benefit the people of Kaua‘i, the Antone and Edene Vidinha Charitable Trust granted $20,000 to provide monetary assistance to Kaua‘i residents in financial need attending Chaminade University. Scholarship funds may be used toward tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for the enrolled courses.

Frederic Duclos Barstow Foundation – $15,000

The Frederic Duclos Barstow Foundation awarded Chaminade $15,000 for scholarships for scholarship/tuition aid to second-year students from American Samoa who have financial need and are full-time students enrolled in an eligible field. Eligible fields include business, finance, library science, psychology, computer science, health care, math, science, nursing, hospitality, and education. The purpose of the Foundation is to support education and benefit the youth of American Samoa.

William H. Hannon Foundation – $10,000

The William H. Hannon Foundation awarded Chaminade $10,000 for scholarships for students in the Experiential Honors Program. The Chaminade University Experiential Honors Program is a four-year program that encourages students to make positive change in the world through experiential learning as an ambassador of the United Nations CIFAL Center Honolulu, housed at Chaminade University of Honolulu.

# # #

Chaminade University of Honolulu believes in the power of education to drive positive change, broaden perspectives and deepen our understanding of one another. With an emphasis on transformative service-learning experiences, we prepare students to serve as tomorrow’s leaders, inspiring and challenging them to use their minds and their hearts to help build stronger and more just communities. We are proud to serve as Hawai‘i’s only Marianist university, and rely on these values to guide us in delivering a high-quality education with an individualized approach and a focus on excellence, innovation and change. Established in 1955, we offer more than 30 undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral degrees in education, psychology and nursing practice. Learn more at chaminade.edu.

2022 Faculty Awardees

Three faculty members were recently honored for their outstanding contributions to academic scholarship, teaching excellence and creating a community that embraces teamwork at Chaminade.

Tracy Trevorrow

Psychology Professor Dr. Tracy Trevorrow was recognized with the Fr. John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award for his tireless pursuit of knowledge and his novel approaches to research that not only seek to build on broader psychological work but on his own clinical practice.

In fact, Trevorrow’s strategy for committing to research projects is three-fold: He looks for work consistent with the direction of his past works, that will help address a gap in literature, and that is novel and broad enough to maximize the likelihood of noteworthy findings.

Trevorrow previously was awarded the Excellence in Scholarship Award in 2007.

A colleague who nominated Trevorrow for the latest recognition said the professor’s timely, ever-evolving and dynamic approach to scholarship underscores his commitment to helping the field grow. His latest research focus includes studies of epilepsy, attention deficit disorder and applied psychophysiology along with behavioral sleep science and impacts on health.

As the nominator writes, psychology’s emerging interest in sleep could yield important findings applicable to a diversity of people and to a better understanding of overall physical and mental health.

Blendine Hawkins talking to a group of students

Meanwhile, this year’s recipient of the CUH Excellence in Teaching Award is Psychology Assistant Professor Dr. Blendine Hawkins, who is director of Chaminade’s Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy program. The recognition celebrates teaching that has “lasting, positive impacts on students, deepens student learning and demonstrates overall excellence in teaching at the university.”

Hawkins certainly ticks all those boxes, says Psychology Assistant Professor Dr. Abby Halston.

In her nomination of Hawkins for the award, Halston said the professor seeks to assess students’ educational gaps in knowledge and skills—and then fill them. Hawkins is also a mentor to students as they seek to form their professional identities and develop an individualized pathway to their careers.

Indeed, Hawkins says her main passion for teaching is student empowerment.

With her undergraduate students, she seeks to help them critically analyze information, support their arguments with evidence, and develop into confident consumers of scholarly research. With her clinical master’s students, she challenges them to connect with clients while using best practices for effective care. And with her doctoral students, she demystifies each step of qualitative study design.

“Dr. Hawkins expects a higher level of performance from her students,” Halston said.

Sr. Malia Wong

Finally, Sr. Malia Wong received the inaugural Dr. Joseph Allen Collegiality Award, which seeks to recognize a faculty member who demonstrates values of collaboration, mentorship, and teamwork. Those who nominated Wong for the honor said she embodies Chaminade’s mission in her work.

Most notably, Wong spearheaded the “Marianists and the Arts: A Sense of Spirit, A Sense of Place” program, which tapped into the talents of peers to connect hands-on learning with Chaminade’s early Marianist founders. Participants said they were able to share experiences with people across departments while engaging with Chaminade’s history and strong focus on public service.

A colleague who nominated Wong said she embodies the central values of the university and its embrace of social justice and inclusivity. Another nominator, Dr. Edna Magpantay-Monroe, said Wong “puts the school’s mission in the forefront of whatever she does in teaching, service and scholarship.”

She is also known for random acts of aloha—from gifting flowers to sweet treats to notes of encouragement (and brightening days along the way). As Magpantay-Monroe put it, “Sr. Malia’s collegiality is beyond emulating the Marianist and Native Hawaiian values. She is spilling her acts of kindness and responsibility beyond Chaminade … and into our island community.”